Joseph L. Wessely

Wessely, Joseph L.

In the spirit of sadness, I announce the passing of my dad, Joseph Louis Wessely on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at Unity Hospice in De Pere. Dad was 94 years young.

Dad was born in Pilsen, Wis., on the family farm in the house he resided in on Jan. 6, 1921 (Feast of the Three Kings) the first child of the late Mathias (Matt) and Rose (Kozlik) Wessely and spent his childhood growing up with his younger brother, Daniel (deceased), two sisters, Audrey Bricco (deceased) and Verna Christoff who survives him.

Dad attended Pilsen Grade School and upon graduation was needed on the farm. Dad began his career as a carpenter when his dad Matt sent him over to do what he could do when his dad's cousin build the house just north of the farm. The general contractor Joseph Stodola of Kewaunee, noted dad was very handy and offered dad a job. Dad helped build some of the last beam (mortise-tenon) barns built along with the original Kewaunee Shipyards. Dad always had no fear of heights and said the best place to be was in the peak of the roof.

On Aug. 13, 1942, dad left with 59 other young men from Kewaunee, to serve his country as World War II raged. Dad did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, advanced/mechanized infantry training in a base outside Yuma, Arizona. Expecting to be sent to North Africa, while home on leave he received orders to report to Camp San Luis Obispo shipping out to the Territory of Hawaii. He was involved in guarding the island of Oahu while receiving advance jungle training. In January, 1944, the unit left Hawaii for a 21 day (3 days in a typhoon were no one saw the light of day) unescorted zigzag trip to New Guinea. Dad was in the weapons squad (machine gun Joe) of K Company, 63rd Regimental Combat Team, 6th (Sightseeing Sixth) Infantry Division. Dad was involved in the Maffin Bay and Sansapor Campaigns and he spoke little of what he had to do as a combat infantryman, but his fellow soldiers spoke highly of dad. On Dec. 8, 1944, while the unit was practicing amphibious landings in a former combat area as they were getting ready to depart for the Philippines, a fellow soldier from California picked up an unexploded rifle grenade and tossed it, which then exploded putting dad and 18 others in the hospital. Dad then spent the next 13 months in various hospitals (Biak, Honolulu, San Francisco, Topeka, and Clinton, Iowa) and at home in recovery. Sergeant Wessely was discharged on Jan. 16, 1946, having received the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, among other awards. The military deemed this a training accident and would not award him a Purple Heart. Dad spent time at Wood Veterans Hospital in 1951 and 1971 for reoccurring trouble with Osteomyelitis from that injury.

On Oct. 18, 1947, my dad married my mother, Eleanore Cherney at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Stangelville. I (Mark) was born on July 19, 1951. Dad continued to work for Joseph Stodola until he went to work for Cletus Seidl in 1955, while continuing to help his dad and mom on the family farm. While working for Cletus, dad and Cletus developed a unique relationship not only as boss and worker, but friends and my dad could not say enough good things about working for the Seidl's. Too many stories to tell, but dad brought the tradition of barn raising that when the rafters/trusses were up a branch was nailed to them. As one older gentlemen noted the leaves are wilting and the boys are thirsty. On Jan. 2, 1963, dad and mom took over the Wessely Family farm and dad continued to work for Cletus. Dad never really retired but slowly quit going to work, working as needed for Cletus and on the farm. Eleanore, his wife and my mother died on Nov. 15, 1985 and dad really missed her, but his zest for life continued. He drove seven times to California and eight times to Florida along with a couple of Amtrak trips to California to visit family and friends.

Dad was an organizational type of person. He attended the church he grew up in and was involved in numerous remodeling projects at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilsen now called St. Therese Parish. He served as a trustee and religious education teacher. Dad was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters Ct. 2080 and served as the Financial Secretary for nearly 60 years, receiving the Legion of Honor. He served the Kewaunee County Deanery of the Holy Name Society and was instrumental in the Holy Name Rallies held at the Fair Grounds years ago setting up the Altar. Dad also belonged to the Holy Name Society of his church. He belonged to the Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce and was named man of the year in 1993. Dad was a member and officer in the Kewaunee County Civil Defense.

Dad's pride and joy was working with the veterans groups. He was a member of the American Legion Post 262 of Luxemburg and was the Commander twice, Adjutant for a number of years, was the "flag man" getting flags to those that wanted them, and along with mom helped operate the old club house for numerous parties. He received recognition from the post at Memorial Day services in 2014. Dad was a member of Winnecki VFW Post 9677 of Belleview where he served as Chaplain, D.A.V. Chapter 3 of Green Bay were for a number of years assisted at the food preparation area at Lambeau Field, Voitur Local 774 of the 40/8, and the AMVETS Post 42. He was also a member of the 6th Division Association and served as President in 2000 with the convention held in Battle Creek, Michigan. He still served on the Board of Directors.

Dad bowled in his younger days, set pins at the Rendezvous, repaired the wood alleys when a board would break, and helped in building the present alleys at the Rendezvous. Dad also took up the game of golf in his mid 60s playing in the 18 hole league at Northbrook making so many new friends. After golf the wood butcher/farmer played cards and had a drink or two with attorneys, judges, VP's, and owners of business. In his later years trips to the casino replaced the long trips. In recent years he imparted his knowledge at the knowledge center at C-mart, breakfast visits to Village Kitchen, and a weekly trip for S.O.S. at the Allouez Café visiting with Skooner and a visit to the Oneida Casino were he befriended many dealers and valet parkers and was known as the "weasel" since they could not say Wessely, plus his weekly visit to the Rendezvous on Friday night for a little "rye and soda" and something to eat. His car and he were always on the move right up to the end.

Dad is survived by me his son, Mark, his sister, Verna Christoff and his sister-in-law, Marcella Cherney, nieces and nephews, cousins, neighbors, and too many friends to mention.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife and my mother, Eleanore, his brother, Dan who died just 5 days before dad and his wife, Ruth, his sister, Audrey Bricco and her husband, Marcellus (Sib), brother-in-law, Elmer Christoff, brothers and sisters-in-law, Charlie and Kathryn Wachal, and Joseph Cherney. He was also preceded in death by his special aunt Josephine Vandenbush who was as much an older sister as an aunt many other relatives and friends.

Friends may call 3 to 7 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2015, at St. Therese Parish, St. Joseph-St. John Site, Pilsen. Combined American Legion Ralph Kline Post 262, Luxemburg, Amvets Post 42 and Winnecki VFW Post 9677, Bellevue Veterans's Memorial Service at 6 p.m. Closing parish prayer service 7 p.m., Monday, led by Deacon Bob and Christal Wavrunek. Visitation will continue between 9 a.m. and 10:40 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at St. Therese Parish, St. Joseph-St. John Site, Pilsen. Funeral 11 a.m., Tuesday at the church with Rev. Dennis Drury officiating. Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Pilsen with full military rites at graveside.

McMAHON FUNERAL HOME, LUXEMBURG is assisting Joe's family with his funeral. www.mcmahonfh.com

In Lieu of flowers, please, a memorial fund for various veterans organizations will be made in Dad's memory.

Dad wanted to thank all who made it possible for him to live in the house he was born in until the last couple of days of his life. Verna for your many holiday meals, other cookouts and celebrations by family members, the Mleziva's for their holiday meals, Lois and Frank, Tom S., Harvey, Kenny, Terry and Kathy, Jeff and Marshall, and many more who touched his life. You will not know how much these acts meant to dad and dad says "thank you".